By R.L. Bynum
For the first time as professionals, Drake Maye and Sam Howell lined up against each other Saturday night, turning a routine preseason matchup into a reunion of former Carolina quarterbacks on a night that Tez Walker had a breakout game.
The game — a 20–12 New England win in Minneapolis — was loaded with Tar Heel flavor, from Maye and Howell under center to veteran wideout Mack Hollins making plays downfield, to Pats rookie defensive tackle JahVaree Ritzie and Vikings running back Ty Chandler.
Facing Howell made the night even more special. The two quarterbacks overlapped at UNC and remain close friends.
“Sam’s one of my best friends,” Maye said. “Pretty cool for us to start against each other — really the first time we’ve gone head-to-head like that. It was awesome.”
Maye entered fresh off a strong joint practice Thursday against the Vikings and backed it up with an efficient second preseason outing. In two series, he completed 4 of 7 passes for 47 yards, with three completions to Hollins, including a 20-yard strike down the right sideline on third down that helped New England find its rhythm. Hollins caught every ball Maye threw his way.
The night wasn’t flawless — Maye nearly threw an interception on his opening series and later admitted he was frustrated with a delay of game penalty. But those hiccups were lessons worth learning.
“Good to get out there with the guys, go through real game stuff,” Maye said. “I was mad at myself for that delay of game — it’s a reminder to watch the clock, get the guys out of the huddle. Those are things you just can’t replicate in practice.”
Maye settled down on his second drive, leading New England to a touchdown. He said bouncing back from mistakes was part of the growth process.
“It’s good to feel that, to have to get back on track after a penalty or a near turnover,” Maye explained. “Obviously, disappointed in myself, but good to respond.”
Howell, J.J. McCarthy’s Vikings backup, started for the second consecutive week but couldn’t follow up on a solid performance the week before. Howell was 11 of 13 for 105 yards and a 100.3 passer rating over 26 snaps in the Vikings’ 20–10 win on Aug. 9. Against the Pats on Saturday, though, he was 1 of 5 for 13 yards and an interception in 13 snaps.
Chandler, in his fourth season with the Vikings, only played seven snaps with 12 yards on three carries.
Ritzie, listed as the Patriots’ third-string left defensive end, has played 30 total snaps through two preseason games and has two tackles.
While Minneapolis showcased Carolina’s recent quarterback stars, Walker provided the weekend’s most impressive performance.
Walker’s preseason debut against the Colts (Aug. 7) was frustrating. Despite starting and logging 45 offensive snaps, he came away with no receptions on two targets.
That changed in Week 2 for the Ravens’ 31–13 victory against Dallas.
Walker looked every bit like the big-play threat UNC fans remember on Saturday night, catching six passes for 61 yards in Baltimore’s 31–13 preseason victory over Dallas, earning him the player of the game honors on the Ravens’ TV broadcast.
Walker got numerous targets early.
“We knew we wanted to come out here, get that chemistry early with the QBs, make them feel more comfortable and stuff like that,” Walker said, adding that his mindset hasn’t changed from college. “My biggest goal, find that role coming out here, and showcase my abilities.”
Even in a deep receiver room, including veteran DeAndre Hopkins, Walker is focused on proving the Ravens’ belief in him was justified.
“Honestly, I’m here for a reason,” said Walker, who wants to prove the Ravens were right to draft him. “That’s my mindset every day. And then just picking the brains of those guys.”
On one play, Baltimore rookie Kaimon Rucker recovered a fumble and got tackled by Dallas offensive lineman Asim Richards.
Running back Javonte Williams has also been held out of the first two Cowboys preseason games, but remains entrenched as Dallas’ starter.
Colts wide receiver Josh Downs also hasn’t played through two preseason games after a strong rookie season, but he will be a starter.
Rookie offensive lineman Willie Lampkin has turned heads during his Los Angeles Rams camp. He played well in 17 snaps during their 23–22 win over the Los Angeles Chargers before coming out with an injury. There are no reports about the extent of the injury.
For the Chargers, rookie running back Omarion Hampton, who was held out of last weekend’s preseason game, played only eight snaps and had two carries for 12 yards, including a seven-yard gain.
Elsewhere in preseason play:
— Titans linebacker Cedric Gray stuffed the stat sheet against Atlanta: five tackles, two assists and half a sack after collecting two tackles and five assists in their first preseason game.
— Dolphins cornerback Storm Duck has started both games and has four tackles in 41 defensive snaps.
— Running back Michael Carter, listed as the Cardinals’ fifth-string running back, continues to battle for a spot, catching all five of his targets for 19 yards against Denver despite limited rushing success (10 yards on eight carries).
— After getting one carry for seven yards in 10 snaps on Aug. 9, expected Jacksonville Jaguars starting wide receiver Dyami Brown sat out Sunday’s 17–17 tie with the New Orleans Saints.
— Quarterback Mitch Trubisky came off the bench to connect on 7 of 13 passes for 55 yards in the Buffalo Bills’ 38–0 road loss to Chicago. For the Bears, rookie Power Echols had two assists in 23 total snaps.
In the final preseason game of the weekend on Sunday, Power Echols’ Chicago Bears host Mitch Trubisky’s Buffalo Bills at 8 p.m. (Fox).
Note: There was no update after the first full week of preseason games because I was vacationing in London. The numbers for each player from those games are included below.
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —11 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 4 special-teams assists
Week 17: Texans 20, (at) Chargers 16 — Played 3 offensive snaps (5%), 21 special-teams snaps (72%)
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 16 games, 7 starts, 22 catches, 212 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 17: Jaguars 23, (at) Colts 17 — Didn’t play
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Tennessee, Fox
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Starting running back
Season statistics — 13 games, 4 starts, 85 carries, 313 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 30 catches on 36 targets, 246 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 17: Bengals 37, Cardinals 14 — Started; 7 carries, 29 yards (11 longest); 2 catches on 4 targets, 14 yards (8 longest); 25 offensive snaps (44%)
Week 18 — 4:25 Sunday at Los Angeles Rams, Fox
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 27 | 5–11, 204 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string kickoff returner; third-string running back
Season statistics — 2 games, 7 carries, 24 yards (5 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage
Week 17: Vikings 23, Lions 10 — 7 carries, 24 yards (5 longest); 1 assist on punt coverage; 13 offensive snaps (24%); 8 special-teams snaps (31%)
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Green Bay, CBS
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 15 games, 10 starts, 54 catches, 505 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 rush, 3 yards; 6 punt returns, 55 yards; 2 tackle
Week 17: Jaguars 23, Colts 17 — Started; 2 catches on 5 targets, 34 yards (18 longest); 1 punt return, 0 yards; 1 tackle after an interception; 35 offensive snaps (61%), 2 special-teams snaps (8%)
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Houston, CBS
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 15 games, 15 starts, 91 tackles, 60 assists, 7 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 17: Saints 34, Titans 26 — Started; 9 tackles, 3 assists, 1 tackle for a loss; 54 defensive snaps (100%), 1 special-teams snap (3%)
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Jacksonville, Fox
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 9 games, 6 starts, 124 carries, 545 yards (54 longest), 4.4 average, 4 touchdowns; 32 catches, 192 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 17: Texans 20, Chargers 16 — Started; 14 carries, 29 yards (5 longest), 1 touchdown (5-yard run, 2:52, 4th quarter); 8 catches on 8 targets, 31 yards (17 longest); 51 offensive snaps (81%)
Week 18 — 4:25 Sunday at Denver, CBS
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 17 games, 1 tackle; 699 offensive snaps, 637 special-teams snaps
Week 17: Dolphins 20, Bucs 17 — Played 1 offensive snap (1%), 4 special-teams snaps (16%)
Week 18 — 4:30 Saturday vs. Carolina, ABC
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 12 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 3 special-teams assists
Week 17: Browns 13, Steelers 6 — Played 11 special-teams snaps
Week 18 — 8:15 Sunday vs. Baltimore, NBC
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 17: Eagles 13, (at) Bills 12 — Wasn’t active for the game
Week 18 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Washington, CBS
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 17 — Will miss the 8:15 Monday game against the Los Angeles Rams (ESPN) with an ankle injury
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, Fox
Alijah Huzzie, Houston Texans cornerback
Age 24 | 5–10, 195 | rookie season | UNC 2023–24
Season statistics — 2 games, no statistics
Week 17: Texans 20, (at) Chargers 16 — Not active for game
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Indianapolis, CBS
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 340 of 474, 4,203 (72 longest, 8.7 average), 71.7%, 30 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 47 sacks (201 yards in losses, 108.5 passer rating; 98 carries, 409 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 17: Patriots 42, (at) Jets 10 — 19 of 21 (90.5%), 256 yards (31 longest), 5 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1 sack (1-yard loss) 157.0 passer rating; 3 carries, 22 yards (11 longest); 32.33 fantasy points; 52 snaps (79%)
Touchdown passes: 2 yards to Austin Hooper (10:42, 1st quarter), 22 yards to Rhamondre Stevenson (14:55, 2nd quarter), 3 yards to Stefon Diggs (3:01, 2nd quarter), 13 yards to Hunter Henry (31 seconds left, 2nd quarter) and 10 yards to Efton Chism III (8:17, 3rd quarter)
Week 18 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Miami, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 14 games, 4 starts, 303 offensive snaps, 49 special-teams snaps
Week 17: Saints 34, (at) Titans 26 — Played 8 offensive snaps (15%), 7 special-teams snaps (21%)
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Atlanta, Fox
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 17: Eagles 13, Bills 12 — Didn’t play
Week 18 — 4:25 Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 10 games, 2 starts, 4 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 QB hit, 2 special-teams assists
Week 17: Ravens 41, (at) Packers 24 — 20 offensive snaps (26%), 14 special-teams snaps (56%)
Week 18 — 8:15 Sunday at Pittsburgh, NBC
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season statistics — 16 games, 16 starts, 252 carries, 1,201 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 11 touchdowns; 35 catches, 137 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 17 — Started; 13 carries, 54 yards, 1 touchdown (4-yard run, 12:06, 2nd quarter); 0 catches on 2 targets; hurt late in second quarter; 25 offensive snaps (27%); 11.4 fantasy points
Week 18 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, Fox
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
New England wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen injury)
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via @Patriots
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